By Book Club Team 
Remarkably Bright Creatures: A novel narrated by an octopus living in an aquarium becomes an unlikely source of enlightenment for the people surrounding him. Anchored around his friendship with a widow named Marcellus, herself consumed by widowhood and seeking to reach her son, who is overwhelmed by his struggles.
Continuing to watch over the humans and reflect on their life, Marcellus can shed light on the nature of love and loss while reminding one to embrace life. This book is a great exploration of connecting, healing, and the unforeseen ways by which we might find hope through his unique perception. It’s a poignant and touching read that reminds us of the beauty in relationships, both human and animal.
| ✍️Author | Shelby Van Pelt |
| 📅Publication date | May 3, 2022 |
| ⭐Goodreads Rating | 4.39 |
| ✔️ISBN-10 | 0063204150 |
| 📖 Page count | 368 pages |
| ❔Topics | Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery, Magical Realism, Animals, Literary Fiction, Book Club, Adult Fiction |
Remarkably Bright Creatures Summary
The story revolves around Marcellus, an octopus living in the aquarium of a small town, who, for his years in age, is quite observant and wise. An octopus, Marcellus’s keen insight into the human condition makes him an unusually compelling character. His intelligence and quiet observations have him see things about the people who come to visit the aquarium that they themselves may or may not realize.
The human counterpart is Marcellus, a widow whose husband has passed away and tries to go ahead in life after this terrible thing. She had complicated grief; she felt alone, and things between her and her son, distanced with his problems, were also at fault. She’s worked at the aquarium for many years, care for the animals, and she had rebuilt slowly, but since the time of her husband’s passing, hope has always seemed in a difficult-to-attain position.
It forms this unlikely bond between the widow and the octopus that is at the heart of this novel. The silent observer, the confidant, the comforting wisdom the widow so much needs-Marcellus forms by subtle interactions with her and with the people around him. Although Marcellus does not speak like humans do, his observations are sharp, his ways offer insightful looks into human nature, and the bond he builds with the widow helps her in ways she did not expect.
As the novel wears on, it takes one through the self-discovery journey of a widow, a process of letting go, and finding peace with the past. Along the way, Marcellus reminds her of those strong emotional bonds between humans and animals. Through them, the widow starts to confront her grief, reassess relationships, and find new meaning in her life.
The novel is a perfect blend of humor and deep reflection, poignancy, and uplifting moments. Remarkably Bright Creatures celebrates improbable friendships that heal, the importance of empathy, and the idea that connections can be found in the most unlikely of places to help us heal. It’s about embracing life, moving forward, and finding solace in the most surprising places-even an octopus.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Ending Explained
At the end of the novel, the widow Marcellus has come a long way in her personal journey toward healing. Having lost her husband, she was wracked first by grief, then guilt, and a fractured relationship with her son. Through her relationship with Marcellus the octopus, she learns to process her emotions and find a sense of peace.
In this process, there is the important role of Marcellus, the octopus, not by leading her to act in a specific way but by giving quiet reflections that enable her to understand the complicated web of life, loss, and human connection. Marcellus can watch those humans around him and make some astute judgments regarding their behaviors, which goes on to have deep repercussions in their lives. With the widow, it is his quiet companionship and understanding of human emotions that enable her to confront her past and move on.
The ending of the novel closes Marcellus’ relationship with the Widow in such a way as to be both redemptive and bittersweet. It begets the sobering reminder that healing is an often protracted and sometimes non-linear process—one that can indeed bring peace and renewal, though after much time and owing to unlikely friendships.
Marcellus’ fate also comes full circle, showing that, though he may not have a traditional human experience of life and death, his existence is fully meaningful and intertwined with the lives of those around him. Ultimately, the novel concludes on a note of hope and transformation, showing the quiet, profound impact one being—even an octopus—can have on the world.
The ending feels like a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and an acknowledgment of how much more important connections—be they ever so unconventional—can be in our lives, to help us heal.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Characters
Here is a list of the main characters in Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt:
- Marcellus (the octopus): The wise, observant octopus who narrates much of the story. Marcellus is a central character whose peculiar view of human emotions and relationships gives insight into the lives surrounding him.
- Tova Sullivan: A widow and an employee at the aquarium where Marcellus lives, living through a period of deep sorrow from the loss of her husband and being on bad terms with her son, Tova suddenly finds solace with Marcellus.
- Ethan Sullivan: Tova’s estranged son, with his own set of personal struggles, feels a lot of guilt and confusion when it comes to his mother. His storyline runs parallel to Tova’s as they go about trying to find each other again.
- Mister Ruggles: A loving dog companion to Tova, sticking by her through thick and thin.
- Kris: A colleague at the aquarium who helps Tova with her daily tasks. Though a smaller character, Kris is an important part of Tova’s life and offers her occasional support on her journey.
- Jared: A character who helps Tova with some personal things, adding to her growth and healing in general.
These characters, and especially the unlikely connection Tova and Marcellus form, create a poignantly beautiful and heartwarming narrative of love, loss, and connection.
📚 Explore more: Remarkably Bright Creatures: Book Club Questions and Discussion Topics
Remarkably Bright Creatures Book Review
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is a well-crafted novel that takes readers on an emotional journey of grief, connection, and unexpected friendships. The story, narrated by Marcellus, a wise octopus, is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. His unique perspective on human life adds a delightful twist, blending humor with profound insights.
The octopus Marcellus turns into an unlikely confidant for a widow named Marcellus, who struggles to navigate her sorrow and reconnect with her son. Their interactions are touching and relatable, capturing the complexities of love and loss. The way Van Pelt portrays the bond between humans and animals is simply magical, reminding us of the profound connections we can share with all living beings.
Lyrical and engaging, the writing draws one into this work from page one. It is a novel about healing and community that resonates deeply and will be especially dear to any who have lost someone, or just need a reminder of the beauty within a relationship.
Taken all together, Remarkably Bright Creatures is a sensitive consideration of the rigors of life and our need for connectivity. This should be required reading for every bookworm in search of a really sentimental read celebrating the character of resilience through the bond of love.
Remarkably Bright Creatures Genre
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt is, taken as a whole, contemporary fiction that blends elements of literary fiction with character-driven drama and magical realism. The novel comes alive with themes of grief, connectedness, and healing, featuring an octopus named Marcellus as one of the main characters; his insight and observations mold the story to a great extent. It’s a touch of “magical realism” arising from the anthropomorphized perspective of Marcellus, whose ability to understand human emotions gives insight into the human experience in a way that feels magical, yet grounded in reality. The story will also fit into the family drama genre in that it deals with the strained relationship Tova has with her son Ethan.
What Happened to Daphne in Remarkably Bright Creatures?
In Remarkably Bright Creatures, Daphne is a colleague of Tova Sullivan’s at the aquarium. She’s an important secondary character because she is outgoing and bubbly, while Tova is quiet and reserved. Daphne plays an important role in Tova’s emotional journey: she is companionable, and sometimes Tova uses her as a sounding board for her thoughts.
But then, Daphne’s story takes a turn when some personal life challenges come her way. She has to deal with a personal loss and her own emotional battles. At one point in the book, Daphne makes the decision to leave the aquarium, which becomes a turning point in her relationship with Tova. While Daphne herself is a warmly nurturing presence within Tova’s life, her departure brings up the larger themes of the book: how change and loss can trigger huge emotional shifts. Daphne’s leaving, though missed very much, opens up moments during which, taking greater responsibility for her emotional healing, Tova starts learning to rise more and more.
Daphne’s role is somewhat secondary, but she helps Tova grow in that she gives her support and reminds her of the importance of human connection.